Mower



4 sheets-sheen 1. F. BOWBR. MOWER.

(No Model.)

No. 593,561. Patented Nov. 16,1897.

Il l |M TH: norms FUER: no.. mom-uwe.. wnmcmn, u. c.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 Model.)

m.. Wm 0W 0 BM R Patented NOV. I6, 1897.

Ee 0 wer mc mus Prius cu., rnofoumo, wumnmm n, c,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. BOWBR. MOWER.

N0.A593,561. Patented NOV. 16,1897.

? @WH l im g s 'l S www., b

v4 Sheets-Sheet 4. F. BUWBR MOWER.

i (No Model.)

w WN n :mu l 6, v. 0 N d nv t D nu Lb na D.. L n0 rnv., 3 9 rnv a Nea/ower @ym e/qergzys,

H: Nulws PETERS zx:4 wmourna. wnsmumon. u, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

FEED nowEE, oE'DANcY, WISCONSIN.

MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,561, dated November16, 1897. Application filed September 1l, 1896. Serial No. 605,509. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED BOWER, a citizen of the United States, residingat Dancy, in the county of Marathon and State of W'isconsin, haveinvented a new and useful Mower,

of which the following is a speciiication.

In mowing and harvesting machines it is. a desideratum to provide forthe adjustment of the cutting apparatus, so as to present the finger-barat a greater or less inclination to the ground, to elevate thefinger-bar to clear obstructions, and to reduce the width of the machineto enable it to pass through openings in an inclosure or fence of awidth corresponding to about the distance apart 'of the ground-wheels,to raise and lower the cutting apparatus to cut the grain at anyrequiredelevation above the ground, and to drive the sickle-bar at acomparatively high rate of speed, so as to effect a clean and quick cutof the grain while the machine is being propelled over the fieldleisurely or at a moderately slow gate.

The invention consists of a, novel-combination of elements forsimultaneously elevating or folding the cutter-bar and throwingtheiinger mechanism out of gear, a mechanisrn for increasing themovements of the sickle-bar, so that one revolution of the axle willreciprocate the sickle-bar a number of times, universal and adjustablejoints between the movable parts, whereby the coperating elements can bedriven at any adjusted position and backlash and rattling obviated, andin the general construction and arrangement of the parts, all as willappear more fully hereinafter and set forth in the claims.

For a full understanding of the Inerits and advantages of the inventionreference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form,proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing fromthe principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to afull disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan View of amowingmachine having the improvements applied,

the pole and finger-bar being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line X X of Fig. 1, lookinginthe direction of the linger-bar. .the connection between the oscillatinglever arrow. Fig. 3 is a detail section on'the line Y Y of Fig. l,looking in the direction of the arrow. Figs. et, 5, and 6 are detailviews of the clutch mechanism for throwing the cutting apparatus intoand out of gear. Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of the means forincreasing the movement of the axle, so as to drive the cuttingapparatus at the desired rate of speed. Figs. S and 9 are detail viewsof parts of the clutch members. Fig. 10 is a detail view in elevation ofthe means for regulating the pitch of the cutting apparatus andelevating the front end of the main frame to clear obstructions. of themechanismfor elevating or folding the Fig. 12 is a sectional detail ofand its actuating part Vabout on the line Z Z of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is adetail section on the line W Wof Fig. 2, viewedin the direction of thearrow. Fig. 14 is a section on the line V V of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is adetail perspective view of the shoe, the inner end of the finger-bar,and the parts intimately associated therewith. Fig. 16 isa detailperspective view of the adjustable connections between the rear end ofthe shoe and its supporting-frame. Fig. 17 is a detail View in sectionofthe connection provided between the front ends of the oscillatinglever and the vibrating arm. Fig. 18 is a detail view of the connectionbetween the oscillating lever and the vibrating guide.

Corresponding and like parts are referred 'to in the followingdescription and indicated in the several views of j the laccompanyingdrawings by the same reference-characters.

The axle 1. is provided at its ends with ground-wheels 2, which areadapted to act in the capacity of drivers to positively rotate the axlewhen lthe machine is advanced over the field, as is usual in this classof implements. A frame 3 is loosely mounted upon the axle 1 and isprovided with ears 4, which are apertured to receive a rod 5, to whichis connected the pole or tongue 6, the llatter being provided with afoot-lever 7, which is pivoted` thereto at its front end and which isconnected by means of alink 8 with the said frame 3, whereby the frontend of the frame 3 can be raised by forward pressure of the foot againstthe rear side of the vertical portion of the lever 7 A spring 9isinterposed between the front end of the foot-lever 7 and Fig. 11 is afront View l pole 6 to assist materially in the operation of moving theframewhen pressure is applied by means of the foot upon the said lever 7The rear end of the spring 9 connects with the lever 7 in the rear ofits pivotal connection with the pole and normallyholds the lever 7against the rear stop c, the forward movement of the lever being limitedby a corresponding stop ct', both stops being secured to the pole G.'The link 8 has a slot b, through which the connection between it and thelever 7 passes and whereby provision is had for the front end of theframe 3 rising and falling to adapt itself to the inequalities of theground without disturbing the lever 7. The frame 3 inclines forwardlyand downwardly toward its front end, and its rear portion is cut awayto` provide clearance for the clutch mechanism,l

which is mounted upon the axle and by means of which. power isderivedfrom the axle and.

imparted to the cutting apparatus.

A frame 10, comprising a rearwardly-curvedA armill', aA front arm 12,and a rear a-rm 13,

extending about parallel with the front por- 237 loosely mounted uponthe axle 1, a: plate 38, placed adjacent to the disk 37. and havingtion, of. the arm 12 and terminating in a pendentbracket portion 14, haspivotal connectionlwith the lower, front end of the frame 3Y in a plane-passin g vertically through; the-arm.

13, and the curved arm 11 extends in the rear thereof` and. is adaptedto beraised and` lowered-so as to tilt the frame 10, and thereby varythe pitch ot the cutting4 apparatus car'- riedthereby. A notched segment16 is provided at; the rear endA of the frame 3 and has` an undercutslot 17 in one face,inlw\hich.is

ittedthe L-shaped end 18 of the curved arm. 11,;so.as to direct thelatter inits vertical.

movements and toV this notched segmentis flulcrumed an operating-lever19, having the usual hand-latch to interlock withthe teeth1 of thesegment 16, so as to hold the lever 19 in 4theadjusted position, thesaid lever 19 beingconnected by a link 2O with the 'rear end ofthe-arm11whereby the latter is adapted to beV raised and lowered to effect thedesiredl adjustment of the cutting apparatus.

The shoe 21 has averticalextension 22 nearv ingadjustablyconnected'withthe plate 24 by.

means of a bolt-2G, operating in a slotof the p late 24, and said plate25 being mounted.. upon vthe extremity of the pendent portion 14,k

thereby` enabling the rear end of the shoe to be raised and lowered, sothatit may be set to run squarely. uponv the ground and adapt itself.yto the position of the pivoted frame 10.

The. iingerrbar 27 has pivotalconnection at its innerr'endat e withtheparts 12and 14 of.

the frame, 10 and is ot'` the usual construcja link with the bell-cranklever 30.

elevation. ,interposed between the verticalportion or linember of thebell-crank lever 30 and the iframe 10 and serves to lessenthe eort re?the lever 31,

tion, and the sickle-bar 2S is mounted to reciprocate thereon andcoperates therewith to form the cutting apparatus, and a link 29 7oconnects the heel portion of the finger-bar .with a substantiallybell-crank lever 30, fulcrunied to the part 13 of the pivoted frame 10and connected to a hand-lever 31, `by

means of which the linger-bar is adapted to 75 be elevated or folded. Anotched segment 32 is secured to the frame 3 and supports a Istub-shaft33, to one end 'of which the handlever 31 is secured and to the oppositeend of which an arm 34 is attached and connected by 8o The hand-lever 31is supplied with the usual handlatch to engage with the teeth of thesegment l 32, so as to hold the linger-bar at the required A.counterbalancing-spring 36 is 85 quiredfor moving the finger-bar bymeans of.

Y 9o rllhe clutch mechanism consists of adisk a series of openings 39,acompanionplate 40,k

having pins 41 to enter corresponding open- 95- i ings 39, and anangular portion-42, formedon the axle 1 and having the plate 40 mountedvthereon, so as to move toward and fromthe lplate 3S, whereby the pins41 may be caused l,to enter or be withdrawn. from the openings loo `;39.'hub which is grooved to receive the forkv 43 ot a shipper-bar 44, whichis actuated to bring `the parts of the clutch into or out of engagement.ymounted inears 45, extending rearwardly.` vfrom the frame 3, and hasa-slot 46, throughl which operates a wedge 47, by means of which ftheshipper-bar is moved-against the action The plate 40 has a lateralextension,l or

rlhe shipper-bar 44 is slidingly :o5

of the spring 48,mounted thereon, so asto sepr 1o arate the par-ts ofthe clutch. rEhe wedge 47 has astraight edge which obtains a-,bearingagainst the contiguous ear 45 and ispivotally connected to thehorizontal member of; a; bellfcrank lever49, fulcrumed to an extension.u 5 `fof. the eary 45,.against whichv the Wedge 47` `:obtains a bearing.`to a side of the vertical member of the bell- A keeper 50 is securedecrank lever 49, and the rearend portionof abar 51 operates through thekeeperl 50 and; :zo is connected at its front end with the handlever 31,so that when actuating the lever 31 to elevate or fold the cutter-barthe lever 49 will be :moved at the same time and, through,

the connections just described, throw the cuteffect a vmovement of theclutch. Vhen the free end of the hand-lever 8l is drawn back, the bar 5lis moved rearwardly, and when the finger-bar is nearly folded theshoulder at the front end of the notch 52 will engage with the keeperand actuate the lever 49, so as to cause the wedge 47 to move upward andpush the shipper-bar 44 away from the clutch and carry the plate 40 awayfrom the plate 38, thereby disconnecting the parts of the clutch, andupon moving the upper end of the said lever 3l forward, so as to lowerthe finger-bar, the spring 48, previously compressed, will regain itselfand move the shipper-bar44, so as to bring the parts of the clutch ingear, after which the shoulder at the rear end of the notch 52 engageswith the lever 49, so as to move it to lower the wedge 47. The disk 37and plate 38 havea limited play relative to each other, and projections53 of the plate 88 operate through keepers 54, attached to the disk 37,and springs 55 are interposed between the projections 53 andcorresponding projections 56, attached to or formed with the disk 57,whereby the initial movement imparted to the plate 38 when throwing theparts of the clutch in gear is gradually transmitted to the disk 37through the interposed springs 55. This construction obviates throwingthe working parts instantly into gear when the parts of the clutch arebrought together and prevents the sudden j ar and strain which wouldresult by throwing the disk 37 directly into gear with the axle l, aswill be readily understood.

The disk 37 is formed with a rim 57, which is internally toothed, thecogs 58 and the depressions between the cogs being of similar formationand rounded so as to admit of the companion cogs 59 on a ring 60 ridingout of engagement therewith. The ring 60 is placed within the rim 57 andis smaller by so much as to admit of the cooperating cogs 58 and 59clearing one another at one side and intermeshing at the diametricallyopposite side of the rim and ring. An annulus 6l is located 4within thering 60 and is connected with the latter by links 62, other links 63connecting the annulus and links 62 with arms 64, eX- tending inopposite directions from the frame S. The links 62 and 63, by reason oftheir connection with the frame 3, annulus 6l, and' ring 60, hold theparts 60 and 6l in fixed relation and admit of these parts moving so asto impart a vibratory movement to the ring 60, which movement istransmitted to an oscillatory lever 65 and a vibrating arm 66 in themanner presently to be described.

lt is rnot absolutely necessary that the parts occupy the positionillustrated so long as the cogs of the coperating parts 57 and 60coperate to effect a vibratory movement of the part 60. In proportioningthe parts one will be provided with a greater number of cogs thanthe'other, so that when some of the cogs are in mesh the remainder areout of register and stand apart, thereby permitting the intermeshingcogs to ride past one another when the machine is in gear.

The vibrating armv 66 is pivoted at its rear end to the frame 3 by meansof a bolt or pin 67, and its front end has a ball-and-socket connectionwith the sickle 28, so as to impart a reciprocating movement thereto.The oscillating lever 65 is journaled to the vibrating arm 66, so as tooscillate in a direction at right angles to the plane of movement of thevibrating arm 66, and is of approximately triangular form, the sideadjacent to the vibrating arm being cut away, so as to lighten the leverand obviate a cumbersome appearance. The rear portion of the oscillatinglever has a laterally-extending journal 6,8, terminating in a ball towork in a socket formed in a bearing 69, attached to the ring 60, andthis journal forms positive connection between the parts 60 and 65. Awheel 7l, secured to a shaft 72, mounted in bearings rising from theframe 3, receives the terminal of the rear portion of the oscillatinglever 65 and forms a vibrating guide to assist in giving the propermovement to the lever 65 when the machine is in gear. A journalk 70 isscrewed into the end of the part 65 and works in an opening in the wheel7l and has an opening which communicates with anv oilduct c in the part65, by means of which a lubricant is fed to the surfaces between theparts 70 and 7l. A jam-nut CZ serves to secure the journal in place.

A link 7 3 connects the frontend of the vibrating arm 66 with thesickle-bar 28 and is provided at one end with an eye 74 and at itsopposite end with an opening 75 to receive the bearing, which isattached to the sicklebar 28 and which consists of a fixed part 76 and amovable part 77, the latter being slotted and secured in the adjustedposition by a bolt 78, operating through the slot in the part 77. A ball7 9 is formed on the cross-bar at the outer end of the opening 75 andobtains a bearing in a correspondingly-shaped socket formed in themeeting faces of the parts 76 and 7 7. A bushing 8O is located in theeye 74 and is composed of two parts, between which is formed a socket toreceive the ball IOO IIO

8l, formed at the end of the arm'66, and a set-screw 82 is provided formoving the parts of the bushing 80, so as tol compensate for wear andsecure a close lit between the parts 8O and 8l.

The machine is propelled over the field in any of the usual ways,preferably'by hitching a team to the pole or tongue 6, and when lin gearthe disk 37 will rotate with the axle l, and by reason of the coperatingcogs 58 and 59 riding upon one another in the manner herein described atlength the ring 60 will have imparted thereto a vibratory movement,which istransmitted to the cutting apparatus by means of the connectionsherein described. It it be desired to change the pitch or inclination ofthe cutting apparatus, the lever 19 is operated, so as to swing thewedge`47, soasV to permit the machine to be thrown intogear. Byoperating the foot-lever`7 the front end of the frame 3 andthe cuttingapparatus y can be elevated to clear any obstructionv whichE may tend towork injury to thema'chine.

Having' thus described the invention, what is'claimed as' new is'- zl-LVIn a m'mving-n'iachine,` the combinationI 'cfa frame loosely mounted atoner endV andl adapted? to rise'l and fall at its free end, a second'frame pivoted to* the free end of thev loosely-mounted frame and having'a rearward extension, means for relatively adjusting the,

two framesiand holding them inv an'adj usted position, a Vshoecarried'bythe pivoted frame, afcutting apparatus having pivotal connectionwith'the pivoted-frarne`so as to fold, and actuating mechanism for thecutting apparatus supported by the loosely-mounted frame, substantiallyas set forth.

2. Ina mowinginachine, the combinationv 'of aloosely-'mounted fra'nie,a' second frame having' pivotal; connection 'with thelooselymounted*frameandhaving independent ad'- justment, ac'uttingapparatus having pivotal'connection withithe pivoted'frame so as tofold, actuating mechanislnfforthe cutting apparatusY carried by theVloosely-mounted frame, a shoe having pivotal connection at one endwith' the pivoted frame, and means Y for vertically ad j 'ustablyconnecting the other end'of the'shoe with'the said-'pivoted frame,substantially as set forth;

3. Ina mowing-machine, the'combinationi of* a. frame nclining forwardlyand' downwardly, a'second frame comprising front and rear'arms,-arearwardly-curving arm, and a pendent ybracket at theouter end ofthe rear arm and having said bracket pivotally connected with the lowerfront end of the inclined frame, means' for independently adjusting the'pivoted frame with reference tov theinclined frame, a cutting apparatushaving'pivotal connectionwith the front arm andpendent bracket of thepivoted frame, actuating mechanism 'carried by the inclined frameforoperating the cutting apparatus, a"

shoe having pivotal connection at its forward end with the front'arm ofthe pivoted frame, andmeans for vertically adj ustably connecting therear end of the shoe with the said pendentl bracket, substantiallyass'etforth.

4. Ina mowingmachine, thecombination of a loosely-mounted frame havinganotched' iseginent formed in one side with an under-` gcut or L-shapedslot, a second frame having pivotal connection with the first frame and*having a rearwardly-extending arm formed" with an L-shapedv e`nd to moveinthe L-'s'lot tovr guide the arm in its vertical movements' ;and holdit in place, a folding cutting appa` a lever pivoted to the notchedsegment and having a loose connection with the second frame, and means'forholdingth'e lever in an adjusted position, substantially as setforth.

5. In' a mowing-machine, the combination with a frame bearing thecutting apparatus),L anda shoe having pivotalV connection at one" endtherewith, of a plate having pivotalcon nection at its lower end withtheopposite end of theshoe, a second plate having pivotal connection withthe frame, and means 4foiI vertically adjustably connectingl the two'plates, Vsubstantially asy and for the` purpose" set forth.

6.l In' a: mowing-machine, the combinatipt; of a' poweredriven axle, a'frame mountedu thereon7 al folding cutting' apparatus having pivotalconnection with the frame, meansfor Stransmitting motion from thepowerdrven aX'leto the cutting apparatus, a clutchmechl" lanism forthrowing the cutting apparatus` intoand out ofv gear, aslidingly-mounted shipper-bar having connection with'thernov-4 ia'bleclutch' member, a' yspring for normally imaintainin g the parts of theclutchin engag# ment, a wedge operating in connection with: theshipper-bar to separatetheclutch mehr ibers, a bellcrank leverfulcrunied toi the" frame and'havin g the wedge connectedthref' with, anoperating-lever for folding the" cutl' ting apparatus, and abarconnecting the opij jerating-lever with the bell-crank lever 4and'having a limited play to admit of the cutting Aapparatus being nearlyfolded before unship-'j iping the clutch mechanism, substantiallyas' setforth.

ratus and a shoe carried by the second frame, A

TIO

'7; Inv combination, a frame having` rear-'-l jwardly-extending ears, afolding cutting'ap` ipa'ratus supported by the frame, a clutchImechanism for throwing the cutting apijtiti- Vtus intoand out of gear,a pow'er-driventaxle; gsu'pporting the clutch mechanism, a slotted'shipper-bar slidingly mounted in the afore` saidears and'havingconnection With a clutch jmember, a spring mounted upon the shipperbarfor normally holding the clutch members', in gear, a wedge operatingthrough the slot' of the shipper-bar, a bell-crank lever mount? ed uponthe said frame and having conn`e`c' tion with the wedge, anoperating-leverfor folding the cutting apparatus, and a bar'hav` ingconnection with the operating-lever' and having a limitedmovement'priorto positiveilj7 actuating the bell-crank lever to admitofthe cutting apparatus being nearly folded "pri' to throwing the clutchmechanism outofger, substantially as specified. o o Y 8. In combination,ay power-driveri'axle," a"

frame loosely mounted thereon and having ears, a second frame pivotallyconnected with the first frame, a folding cutting apparatus carried bythe second frame, a clutch mechanism for throwing the cutting apparatusinto and out of gear, a shipper bar slidingly mounted in the aforesaidears, a spring for normally holding the clutch in gear, a wedgecooperating with the shipper-bar, a bell-crank lever having connectionwith the wedge, an operating-lever mounted upon the first-mentionedframe and having connection with the cutting apparatus, and providedwith means for holding it in an adjusted position, and a bar havingconnection with the operating-lever and a limited movement with respectto the bell-crank lever, whereby a iinal movement of the operating-leverwill simultaneously fold the cutting apparatus and throw the clutchmechanism out of gear, substantially as set forth.

9. In combination, a folding cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanism, aclutch-operating lever, a shipper-bar in connection with the movablemember of the clutch mechanism, a wedge cooperating with the shipperbarand in connection with the clutch-lever,

a hand-lever for folding the cutting apparatus, and a bar havingconnection with the hand-lever and having a notched portion to operatein the keeper of the clutch-lever, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

10. ln combination, a power-driven axle, a disk loosely mounted thereon,keepers applied to a side of the disk, a plate loosely mounted upon theaxle and having projections operating through the aforesaid keepers,other projections applied to the looselymounted disk, springs interposedbetween correspondingprojections, and a second plate mounted to turnwith the axle and having a movement thereon toward and from the disk andprovided with means to interlock with the rst-mentioned plate,substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

1l. In a mowing-machine, the combination of the main frame mounted toturn upon the axle, a second frame having pivotal connection with themain frame and carrying-the cutting apparatus, a pole or tongue havingpivotal connection with the main frame, means for relatively adjustingthe two frames, a foot-lever fulcrumed to the pole, a link connectingthe foot-lever a distance from its fulcrum with the main frame andhaving a limited play to admit of said frame adapting itself tothesurface condition of the ground, and a spring connected at one end withthe pole and at its opposite end with the footlever at a point betweenits fulcrum and the point of connection therewith of the link,substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

12. ln amowing-machine, the combination of a main frame mounted to turnupon the axle, a second frame having a sliding pivotal connection withthe main frame, means for adjusting the pivoted frame with reference tothe mainframeand directing it in its movements, a pole having pivotalconnection with the main frame, a foot-lever fulcrumed to the pole, aspring connecting the foot-lever with the pole, and a link havingpivotal connection with the main frame and sliding connection with thefoot-lever at a point between its fulcrum and the point of connectiontherewith of the spring, substantially as set forth for the purposespecified.

13. The herein-described means for imparting a reciprocating movement tothe cutting apparatus of mowing-machines, consisting of a rotatable rim,a ring, cooperating cogs between the rim and ring, a power-drivenannulus or part, and links connecting the annulus or power-driven partwith the ring, sub-.

stantially as specified for the purpose described.

14;. In combination, a frame having projecting portions, a rotatablerim, a ring, cooperating cogs between the rim and ring constructed toride past one another, an annulus, links connecting the annulus with thering, and other links connecting the annulus with the projections of theframe, substantially as 'set forth for the purpose described.

15. In combination, avibrating arm, a lever having pivotal connectionwith the vibrating arm and adapted to oscillate therewith, means forimparting an oscillatory movement to the said lever, and a vibratingguide for causing the oscillating lever to move in a plane at rightangles to the movement of the vibrating arm, substantially in the mannerset forth for the purpose described.

16. In combination, a power-driven axle, aframe mounted thereon, an armhaving pivotal connection with the frame and adapted to vibrate in aplane approximately parallel therewith, a lever having pivotalconnection with the arm so as to vibrate therewith and adapted to havean independent oscillatory movement at right angles to the plane ofmovement of the said arm, a ring or like part positively actuated bymeans of the powerdriven axle, a journal extending laterally from thesaid lever and making connection with the ring, and a vibrating guidefor controlling the movement of the lever, substantially in the mannerset forth for the purpose specified. 'A

17. In combination, a vibrating ring, an oscillating lever, alaterally-extending journal between the ring and lever and having aball-f and-socket connection with the said ring, and a vibrating guidecooperating with the oscillating lever, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses. v

FRED BOWER.

Witnesses:

J onN 1. HUME, HENRY HORN.

IOO

IIO

-IZO

